September 08, 2007

School is in session! Art school that is. One of Spring's favorite trends emerged today. And though it was a hot, slow Saturday, the artsy prints and shapes were anything but lazy. White also emerged for many, well yeah – white supplies the perfect canvas for fashion art!

Twinkle by Wenlan (L) has proven to be a favorite for the youthful, and for Spring it retains its cred. There was an abundance of prints, some artsy, some fartsy – the designer could have held a couple back. Other than that, shapes were flirty with the occasional jumper and short and the collection had jazz. Professor Fab gives Twinkle a B. On the west side of town, Malandrino (R) was a mess; not the collection, the planning. The space at the Chelsea Art Museum was too small to accommodate loads of devoted Malandrino fans and many huffed away, dismissing the show. For the more tolerant, and seated, there was the great and the not so. Frenchie Catherine should stick with what she does best – ultra feminine frocks, chic tailoring, womanly shapes – and not delve into foreign, ie. trendy, territory. Some of her artsy prints and bubbly embellishments were not up to par and certain silhouettes were unflattering. Overall, Malandrino gets a B- (excusez-moi!).

Brian Reyes (L) aced origami and jewelry making with a beautiful and intricate Spring collection. Subtle prints of animal print, polka dots and ombre were awe inspiring while his sleepy-time items were juxtaposed with loose tailoring to create a mature look. The icing on the cake were the bold, raw jewels by Sonia Boyajian against flowing chartreuse and fuchsia concoctions. Reyes had it all, well done, A. Another honor student is Rebecca Taylor (M). Always a favorite amongst the girlie girls, Taylor delivered a purely pretty group with signature details like sequins and ruffles on suiting and cardigans. Jeweled necklines and colored patent leather were her artsy contributions. Taylor, you deserve an A-. (Sometimes a girl needs a minus!) My day at art school ended with detention; Chloe Sevigny and the Misshapes were also serving time. Benjamin Cho (R) was over-the-top incorporating thick ropes and too fierce of fabric twisting and tinkering for the everyday. However, incarnations of the trench and web-like ornamentation with sliced crystals, via Erickson Beamon, were unique. I always hated D's (I never got one, I swear), so Cho gets a C-. Class dismissed!

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.